Originally published in The Huffington Post When the news broke that over 200 girls had been abducted by Boko Haram, I was prepared for some Islamophobic rhetoric from the Spencer/Gellar ilk. What I was not expecting were Pulitzer prize winners like Leonard Pitts, even for once, falling for the sensational “extremist Islam is scared of little girls” narrative. It’s not Islam but...
Originally published in NewsDay Sept. 11 changed everything — for America and its Muslims. Thousands were killed in the attack — nearly 500 from Long Island — leaving scores of families and friends with gaping wounds. And for Muslims, who were average Americans a day earlier, public scrutiny bore down like never before. In the 13 years since the terror attacks, Muslims: have...
Originally published in OnFaith The Muslim world is falling apart. In Nigeria, a radical group claims Allah commands them to kidnap hundreds of girls and sell them into slavery. Egypt sentences over 500 people to death through speedy trials. A horrific civil war has killed over 140,000 in Syria, and displaced millions more. Iraq and Afghanistan sit in shambles — and let’s not even get into what’s...
Originally published in The Duluth News Tribune Part of the feedback on my April 6th opinion editorial, “Quran forbids men from hurting wives,” indicates a mistaken inference by some that the Holy Quran gives a husband the right to control his wife, making them unequal partners in marriage. While empathizing with those who felt that way, I would like to clarify that the Holy Quran does not allow...
Originally published in Dallas News Mother’s Day is a special time to reflect what our mothers have done for us. My mother sacrificed her career so she can stay home to raise me, help me with my education, and teach me the rights and wrongs of the world. The prophet Muhammad once stated, “I know of no other deed that brings people closer to Allah than kind treatment and respect towards one’s...
Originally published in The Columbus Dispatch Boko Haram, an extremist group in Nigeria, recently kidnapped close to 300 school girls, claiming that Islam prohibits women from obtaining an education (“Britain, U.S. pump effort to rescue Nigerian girls,” Associated Press article, Saturday Dispatch). Nothing could be farther from the truth than what the leader of Boko Haram has concluded. The...
Originally published in Dallas News Yet again, a terrorist organization defaces the beautiful religion of Islam with their heinous actions. This time we are in Nigeria, where so-called “Muslims” from Boko Haram abducted 276 schoolgirls because they claim Islam disallows the education of women. You can read that over and over again because I can’t wrap my head around the logic behind this. As a...
Originally published in The Washington Post My gift on Mother’s Day is pretty standard: dinner and flowers. However, I’m reminded of what the prophet of Islam said: “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother.” Perhaps I can do more year-round rather than on just one day. Maybe I can help her with her daily chores. Maybe I can visit her more often so that she can enjoy time with her grandchildren...
Originally published in The Star Tribune Mother’s Day is approaching fast, and I haven’t done anything about it yet. While there are plenty of last-minute Mother’s Day sales, it’s hard to find that right gift that can truly thank my mother for all that she has done for me. Growing up, my mother would tell me that the prophet Mohammed once said that a child would never be able to fully repay his...
Originally published in Montgomery News Once again, unfortunately, there has been senseless violence against our nation’s youth in the recent stabbings at Franklin Regional High School. This time, the violence occurred in our home state of Pennsylvania. First and foremost, I would like to extend condolences to the families of those that were hurt by this tragic event. With God’s mercy, there were...